s.s. props

[broadbent]

I've read the post on stainless steel props, but my question (which is highly subjective) is this -
given the fact that I own a perfectly serviceable al. prop, is it worth £300 to change them to stainless steel?

the props is 14" with 19"pitch on an alpha drive behind a 4.3L mercruiser.

 

[byron]

If it ain't broke don't fix it

ô¿ô

 

[Geoffs]

If prop in good condition and performance is OK, then no point in changing. If prop has any damage at all, then performance will be degraded. If the prop has touched sand or mud there is a good chance some pitch will have been lost.

My Al prop suffered after one season, changed to SS, now been going for two seasons with no loss of performance. Top speed still good, and engine revs at cruising speed the same.

 

[tripleace]

I have 3 sets of duo props (ss). great if you don't hit anything.

1. A s/s prop will not give as much if you hit something hard and therefore could transmit damage into the drive chain

2. A S/S prop will if you hit somthing soft not deform and you live to tell the tale with undamaged props. ( good for lower thames and plastic bags of rubbish)

items 1 and 2 are both advantages and disadvantages depending on the type of hit you have.

S/S props can cause more erosion if you are not properly earthed. We went over to electric anodes because of the wear on the anodes.

Overall I would order a new boat with s/S but not change alloy for S/S unless forced to by a breakage.

Alloy are cheaper to repair and even have as spares!

www.cleverdic.co.uk

 

[broadbent]

Good answer.
but what are electric anodes?

 

[Col]

AQ41's ?? What props (ie C5)?

 

[broadbent]

AQ41 ?????

 

[Guest]

I used to have a boat with a Mercruiser 4.3LX. I considered changing to a s/s prop but was advised that I would have to fit a mercathode (electrically operated) to protect the props and outdrive because of the interaction between the two types of metals. The cost would be approx £120. I understand this gizmo is fitted as standard if the boats are supplied with s/s props. Your local Mercruiser dealer will be able to tell you more.

 

[Guest]

Unbelievable a full comprehensive set of good answers, so heres some more.

My brother swapped his prop on a new maxum with a 4.3 mercruiser for a ss one. It made very little difference to performance (Prop was swapped like for like).

But the important bit is that a ss prop looks much better than a scoured ali one when the boats on the trailer- well worth 300 quid !!

 

[Col]

Triple ace has triple Volvo's, which I think are AQ41's, I am curious as to which props he has.

 

[tripleace]

They are a Merc goodies

fitting on hull and send out some electric field which reduces normal anode wear

We have two sets which send out a field which includes the centre engine.

Triple ace will be coming out soon and I will report wear on normal anodes.

We have triple volvo with obvious duo props. not sure number on props.